P R O L O G U E
Three Months Earlier
Mr. Batt Snr. strolled in at noon. From his feet upwards he looked fine; he wore a black pin-striped suit, white shirt and grey tie. It was his chosen foot-wear that was the problem, a pair of brown leather Jesus sandals over off-white sports socks.
Lara gave him a once over with curious eyes, anticipating trouble in the form of a tell-tale bulge that protruded from her boss’s top inside pocket.
“What brings you here, Mr Batt?” she asked noticing his glazed eyes.
“The lap dance club closed early,” he shook his head and leant on her desk to steady his balance. “Took some business cards with me…thought I might drum up a bit more trade…new clients,” he nodded, his eyes couldn’t focus properly.
Lara opened her mouth up to reply and then thought better of it, some things were best left unsaid, and she didn’t want to lose her job.
Mr.Batt jnr. and his wife emerged from the back-room just as some customer’s walked in, their eyes wild with terror at the sight of Batt Snr.
“Dad, what are you doing here? You’re supposed to be taking temporary retirement,” Batt Jnr took his father’s arm and steered him towards the back-room, pausing at the door and gesticulating to his wife. “Jane, ask Lara to deal with those customer’s.”
Jane Batt swallowed and nodded at her husband with hot eyes before approaching my desk.
“He’s going through a difficult time,” she pointed at the back-room.
“Is it true he’s left his wife?” I enquired, curious to see if she would tell.
“Yes,” she answered in a quiet voice. “We only picked him up from rehab last week and well… need I say more, Lara. May I ask for your discretion when it comes to Alex? It’s a difficult time for us all, especially my husband.”
“Of course, I’ll see to them,” I gestured towards the perusing couple near the property photographs.
Jane turned towards the back-room, a miserable expression on her open face.
***
While they weren’t looking Alex Batt took a quick swig from this morning’s quarter bottle of Bells whisky and scanned the room. Two livid faces dominated the crowded space, the land of many filing cabinets… he’d made many an improper proposition in this room to one secretary or other.
“Still Mr. Angry, aren’t you, son? You need to come out with me and relax. Have a few beers…” Alex winced and smiled weakly at his son’s wife. “You don’t mind if Bobbie comes out with me do you, Jane?”
“Yes I bloody do. You’re a disgrace, Alex. You’ve left Barbara… and you’re back on the whisky again.” She wagged a finger in his face. “Don’t even think about it, if it wasn’t for us this place would have fallen apart years ago.”
“Be careful what you say, Jane. This is still my company,” he slurred. “I haven’t time for this nonsense. I’m an extremely important man and you’re wasting my time. I’d better be going unless you want me to deal with that nice couple out there… the woman had great legs… did you see, Bobbie?”
***
Lara prompted the couple to sit down, ignoring the heated conversation from the back of the room.
“It get’s tense in the board-room near the end of the tax year,” she offered.
“No problem,” the man said, extending a hand. “I’m Mr. Smith and this is my wife, Angelique.”
“Pleased to meet you both,”
Three buttons down his crisp white shirt, near dead centre of his chest, was a solid gold necklace. It took all Lara’s focus and determination to avert her eyes from it, fixing her stare on his forehead instead, avoiding his roguish eyes.
A thin layer of sweat covered her back as she sought out the glittering gold once more, this time catching a tantalising glimpse of the pendant beneath.
“If you don’t mind,” his manner was arrogant. “I’d like to move things along; we’re looking for something in the two million price bracket, plenty of bedrooms, a swimming pool and a few acres of land.”
Lara’s knees shook beneath the desk. An awful image filled the eye of her mind, she took a deep breath and closed her eyes. With a jolt she jumped from her seat and walked to the water cooler, trying her best to control her shaking hands as she filled her plastic cup with ice cold water.
“Forgive me, it’s a warm afternoon,” she pointed to her drink as though to explain her thirst. “It’s your lucky day. I have several properties that might interest you, one moment please.” She felt his eyes on her as she walked in the direction of the filing cabinets.
“Here we are,” she said passing them a dozen or so files. “I’m sure all of these fit the criteria you’ve asked for.”
A killer smile revealed his even white teeth. “May I use your toilet?”
“Of course,” Lara stood and signalled towards a door near the entrance.
“Won’t be a moment, Angelique. She’s from France you know,” he said grinning. “She’d be happier in the Riviera! And what do I offer her? The river Mersey.”
“We have one or two dockside properties that may…” Lara’s voice trailed off as he ignored her and strutted towards the WC.
Angelique discarded the files, her elegant hands lifting a photograph from the office desk.
“Who is zis?” her accent was strong.
“My daughter. I’m so proud of her; she’s starting business studies at a top university in September. Do you have children?”
The woman laughed, tossing her perfect, glossy hair. “No. Do you think my husband would find me attractive if I ruined zis figure?” Her face became serious. “You don’t look old enough to have such a young, beautiful daughter. Have you had work done?”
“Work?”
“Oui. A face-lift?”
“I couldn’t afford a facial never mind a face-lift,” Lara shrugged, allowing her eyes to scrutinise the French woman. The Cartier watch, expensive shoes and bag, even her pen looked pricey as she scribbled her number on a pad.
“Arh… here you are, Marcus. I thought you’d run away.” She held out a piece of paper. “My husband’s number and my number, should you need to contact us regarding the sale of our house… or regarding any properties we might be interested in.” She picked up the files and prompted her husband to leave.
“Oh, just one more thing,” Lara’s heart thumped in her chest, she took a deep breath and said. “Can I ask you to sign here, Sir?” She held out a pen.
“My pleasure,” he leant forward, signing on the dotted line.
A silent scream remained trapped in her throat as his pendant dangled from his rippled chest, an intricate gold star studded with diamonds.
